Freeride · Engelberg-Titlis · Glacier / alpine
Titlis Steinberg – Freeride in the glacier area
The Steinberg connects glacier-covered slopes with rocky terrain towards Trübsee. The classic «S»-variant also leads over glaciated terrain; the crevasses, visibility, and the fully known exit determine whether a line is suitable.
- Area
- Titlis, Engelberg
- Category
- Freeride
- Difficulty
- 3 of 6
- Season
- January – April
- Start
- 3,032 m a.s.l.
- Goal
- Trübsee · 1,764 m
- Aspect
- Northeast
- Character
- Glaciers & off-piste
The difficulty is a local rating of 1 to 6 and no avalanche warning level. The season and altitude information describe the route; the drivability is assessed for the respective day.
Organize the line in the terrain
Map and Topos
Configure access, departure, and exit before the start. The maps do not show the current avalanche or glacier situation. For details, open the original and keep an offline map ready.
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enlarge ↗Access, departure and return
Route description
From Titlis to the Steinberg Glacier
The descent starts at the Titlis top station. Depending on the chosen route, you ski onto the Titlis or Steinberg glacier. Choose your line carefully around the crevasse zones from the outset.
Via the Steinberggletscher
The classic «S» variant takes a wide arc through the glacier and bypasses the largest crevasse zones. Alongside this, there are steeper and more demanding lines with «GaF», «Links» and «Never Sun».
Over the large glacier surface
Below the steeper entryways, wide glacier fields open up. Here the lines split once again. Depending on the route, you proceed via the Atomwächte, the Bärentatzen or directly towards Trübsee.
Towards Trübsee and Grosser Sulz
After the lower glacier area, various options lead towards Trübsee or back to the Grosser Sulz. The correct exit depends on the chosen variant and the current conditions.
Plan each line individually
Departures and variations
Steinberg «S»
The classic standard descent via the Steinberggletscher. From the top station, the route leads in a large «S» through the crevasse zone and then across the large glacier area towards Trübsee.
After the lower glacier area, there are various options to get back to the Grosser Sulz.
- standard route and easiest option
- Very rewarding descent
- Beware of crevasses
Steinberg «GaF»
«GaF» stands for «Ganz am Fels» (Right by the rock). After entering near the bottom station of the Ice Flyer, you stay close to the rock faces below the Rotstöckli. Near the icefall, the terrain reaches gradients of up to 40 degrees. The route then leads back towards the Trübseehopper.
- A rewarding direct line
- Slopes up to 40° near the icefall
- Crevasses just below the entry
- Increased risk of slipping under hard conditions
Steinberg «Links»
From the Titlis top station, head north onto the Titlis Glacier. After that, keep consistently to the left and pass beneath the cables of the gondola lift. Terrain that is up to 42 degrees steep leads onto the large glacier area. From there, alternative routes via Atomwächte, Bärentatzen, or directly towards Trübsee are possible.
- Up to 42° steep
- Large crevasses may be open in early winter
- In hard snow, often bare ice
- Crevasse hazard
Steinberg «Never Sun»
«Never Sun branches off the Left route. After the steep section, you traverse above a prominent rock band to the so-called Messer. From there, a steep descent follows through the north face back into the Steinberg lines.
- Exposed traverse
- Existing tracks do not replace route knowledge.
- Demanding line choice
Steinberg «Atomwächte»
Below the large glacier area, if there is sufficient snow cover, it is possible to ski down via point 2358. The terrain offers many opportunities across mounds, hollows and short steep slopes. In good conditions, this makes for very varied descents.
- Many variants possible
- Creative line choice
- Good sense of direction required
Steinberg «Bärentatzen»
The Bärentatzen offer varied terrain with numerous small hollows. After the large glacier expanse, keep right and ski into the various bowls. The exit is via steeper couloirs back towards the Grosser Sulz.
- Very varied
- Challenging orientation
- Mind couloir exits
- Reconnaissance of the exit point beforehand
What matters
Key points and planning
The TITLIS cable cars explicitly point out the glacier in the upper part and rocky terrain with crevasses further down on the Steinberg.
The «S» line does not avoid all gaps under all conditions. Fresh snow can cover openings without forming a viable bridge. In poor visibility, the foundation for reliable line selection is lacking.
avalanche report and check the weather, take into account the observations on the ground and make a new decision before each departure. A ratio report describes its time of recording and is not a clearance of a route.
For your planning: TITLIS: Freeride areas and safety ↗ · Protected areas ↗ · Open facilities ↗
Appropriate to route and conditions
Equipment and requirements
- LVS equipment, probe and shovel per person; regular training in search and rescue of companions.
- Ski or snowboard for off-piste use, helmet, warmth and weather protection, and first aid supplies.
- Current map offline, loaded phone and enough reserve power for the return journey or the sections that have to be done on foot.
- For glaciers, exposed access routes or rappel points, determine the additional alpine equipment appropriate to the line. The necessary rope and rescue techniques must be mastered.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Steinberg suitable for beginners?
The standard «S» model is suitable for experienced freeriders with some experience of off-piste terrain. However, all models require knowledge of alpine conditions.
Are there crevasses on the Steinberg?
Yes. All Steinberg variants cross glaciated terrain in the upper section. The risk of crevasses must be taken into account on every descent.
Which option is the simplest?
The classic «S» route is considered the simplest and, at the same time, the most rewarding.
Do I need a mountain guide?
A mountain guide is recommended for those unfamiliar with the area, or in the event of fog or difficult conditions.
Local knowledge and joint planning
Titlis Steinberg with mountain guide
We choose the area and the departure point based on your driving ability, the snow cover, the avalanche situation, and the visibility. For alpine variants, we clear access, equipment, and possible foot sections before the day.
